Andrew Burgher
Five-year-old Andrew Burgher is one of those shining examples. Born with cerebral palsy, Andrew has little volitional control of his body and has difficulty speaking. But with the right tools, Andrew can move independently from one place to another and easily communicate with his family, friends and classmates.
“When Andrew was three, we were referred to ATECH Services, a program of Crotched Mountain, so he could be evaluated for an augmentative communication device,” recalls Erika, Andrew’s mother. “ATECH Services speech and language pathologist, Heather Gray, came to the house with a number of different devices so we could determine what would work best.” From that day onward, says Heather, “Andrew just blew everyone away. He was a brilliant kid right from the start.”
When choosing a communication device, as well as other adaptive equipment, ATECH consumers have the opportunity to give the new technology a trial run before purchase. “Two weeks into the trial, Andrew came into our office in Concord and with his device said, ‘Hello!’ then asked, ‘How are you?’ “How many three-year-olds do you know who ask that?” Heather marvels. “Once he had the device, we also learned what a great sense of humor he has,” Erika adds. Andrew uses a Vantage, which features a computer screen display that scans images, words, and letters, and is controlled by the user through a switch. Using this strategy, Andrew puts individual words together to make full sentences. The device then vocalizes with synthesized speech or can be customized to use recorded human speech.
“After testing switches with Andrew’s head and feet, we discovered that he had the most control with his knees,” says Erika. With a switch controlled by his left knee, Andrew chooses concepts and words to communicate with those around him. According to Heather, he scans quickly—at four-tenths of a second—and was in the highest-level reading group in his kindergarten class (Andrew is now in first grade.).
ATECH was called in to evaluate Andrew again about six months later— this time for a power wheelchair. “Previously we used a large stroller which made him dependent on others to move him from place to place. I had no idea he would be able to operate a wheelchair without using his hands,” recalls Erika.
Again, ATECH set up a number of different possibilities to determine what would work best for him. And again, Andrew’s knees showed the most control. Now, while Andrew operates his communication device with his left knee, he drives his wheelchair with his right.
“His personality really developed with the use of the chair,” says Erika. “He was able to assert his independence. Before he got the chair Andrew was more quiet and reserved. Now his personality is vibrant, and he can get away from his mother when he wants!” she jokes. Now that Andrew is mobile and able to communicate, ATECH continues to monitor his needs, including home and school computer access, as well as other accessibility requirements in his classroom. And they keep the family up-to-date on technological advances. So far, they’ve looked into a foot-controlled joystick to drive his chair and are exploring an eye scan computer system. But the best thing of all, says Erika, is the joy Andrew gets from showing his cousins the latest computer games he’s found. “Independence, communication, playing games on the computer — it’s all fabulous!”
ATECH Services is a program of Crotched Mountain Foundation providing assistive technology solutions to New Hampshire residents with disabilities.
Our thanks to Crotched Mountain Foundation for giving PRC permission to adapt “The Right Tools” article from Volume 11, Number 1 of the HORIZONS newsletter for this AAC success story.
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